About the Caledonian Society
Established in 1976, The Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge was founded with the goal of promotion and preservation of the unique and exciting culture of Scotland. Rich in history and tradition, this culture has a uniqueness of cuisine, music, dress, art, poetry, and has contributed a great deal to the progress and betterment of the world, the United States, and has a strong history in the Baton Rouge area. The photo at the left was taken at the first CSBR Burn's Night Dinner in January of 1977. (Click on the photo for a larger version.)
The Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge sponsors a program of education that includes the teaching of the Great Highland Bagpipes and Scottish drumming, Scottish Country Dancing, presentations to schools and clubs, a presence at numerous festivals and events, and a Scottish cultural study group.
Highly visible are the Caledonian Pipes of Baton Rouge, a bagpipe and drums marching band, and the Scottish Country Dancers. These two groups are active in performance and continue to teach those
interested these uniquely Scottish arts.
In addition to its Annual General Meeting, the Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge presents to its members the Burns Supper to celebrate Scottish National Bard Robert Burns, a Kilted Golf Tournament (golf is a Scottish invention), a Mini Highland Games and Picnic, a St. Andrew Dinner (St. Andrew is Scotland's patron saint), and a number of Kirkings of the Tartan services at area churches.
The Society participates in regional Scottish Highland Games such as those at Biloxi (MS), Jackson (MS), FestforAll and the International Heritage Celebration in downtown Baton Rouge, and the Celtic Nations Heritage Festival in New Orleans.
From time to time, the Society has also presented a Hogmanay celebration, Celtic New Year party, a High Tea, Ceilidhs (gatherings with entertainment), and in 1995 its first Tartan Ball. Events include Scottish foods, Scottish Highland attire, the pipes and drums, Scottish Country Dancing, and presentations on all things Scottish, and all of the fanfare and pageantry of our native land.
Scottish heritage is very much alive in Baton Rouge. We keep members up on information and events through our quarterly newsletter "The Caledonian" and through special mailings. You can see us marching proudly in parades, carrying the St. Andrew Cross (the blue and white flag of Scotland), and at events around the city where Scottish culture can be displayed with pride.
The Scots have made a great impact on everyday life. Examples of the accomplishments of forward thinking Scots are Alexander Graham Bell's telephone, Kirkpatrick MacMillan's bicycle, John Logie Baird's television, the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, and chloroform developed by James Young Simpson. And, of course, there's Scotch Whisky...
A symbol of Scotland and its clan or family system is the fabric known as tartan. Though centuries old, tartan patterns have been identified since the eighteenth century with the various clans and districts. The wool is from the hearty Scottish sheep: sheared, carded, spun, dyed, and woven in Scotland. There is no imitation and there is nothing more indicative of Scotland to the millions of Scottish descendants around the globe.
Clan (the Scots Gaelic word for "children of") Societies are active throughout the world. The Society can help you discover your Scottish Clan connection.
Care to join us? If you have Scottish ancestry or you simply love all things Scottish, why not get involved? We are people with a passion to live our Scottish culture, to keep the traditions alive, and to pass them on.
Membership Information
Dues are $15 for single memberships and $20 for family memberships.
If you wish to join the Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge or if you would like to receive additional information, please call David Goldsmith at (225) 767-4053 or email. To download a copy of the MEMBERSHIP FORM in PDF format
Click here. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat to read this file. 
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Established in 1976, The Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge was founded with the goal of promotion and preservation of the unique and exciting culture of Scotland. Rich in history and tradition, this culture has a uniqueness of cuisine, music, dress, art, poetry, and has contributed a great deal to the progress and betterment of the world, the United States, and has a strong history in the Baton Rouge area. The photo at the left was taken at the first CSBR Burn's Night Dinner in January of 1977. (Click on the photo for a larger version.)